Multi-million dollar aircraft re-fit unveiled in Christchurch

The long-term relationship between Christchurch Airport and
Singapore Airlines was highlighted today with a multi-million
dollar re-fit of aircraft flying direct between Christchurch and
Singapore.

Upgraded seats and cabin interiors form part of a NZ$77.4
million investment programme offering South Island travellers
additional space and comfort on the daily flights.

Christchurch Airport Chief Executive Malcolm Johns says the new
product is outstanding and yet another reason South Island
travellers choose to fly to Singapore direct out of
Christchurch.

"Singapore Airlines has been a valued partner of Christchurch
Airport for 28 years, providing travellers from Wellington south
with award winning passenger services and air freight capacity from
this airport," says Mr Johns.

"The airline's commitment to the airport is underscored by
increasing capacity on the route since before the 2011 earthquake
by what is now an astounding 21.5%.

"This recent summer has also seen Singapore Airlines provide 10
additional supplemental services over our summer - the highest
volume of additional seats ever seen from the airline. 18 new
services have already been announced for next summer, which we hope
may yet see more services to meet the 2014/15 summer season."

The new cabin product unveiled at Christchurch Airport today is
the airline's best-in-class award winning product, with
airline executives telling invited guests Christchurch's new
integrated terminal makes the combined offering a superior choice
over others. The distance between Christchurch and Singapore is the
shortest from New Zealand, with the single integrated terminal
reducing the elapsed travel time.

Mr Johns says the daily flight offers southern travellers many
international connections. "Singapore Airlines' long haul service
contributes $144m to the economy and provides connectivity beyond
Singapore, with connecting services to and from Europe, Asia and
Africa," he says.

"When you add all these factors together, it's not difficult to
see why Singapore Airlines carries hundreds of thousands of
visitors and South Islanders on the existing service every year, a
service which has been daily since 2012 - and which we are
committed to for decades to come."

The value of the partnership is also highlighted by Singapore
Airline's visiting regional vice president Subhas Menon, who said
today "We've been flying here for almost three decades and we'll be
flying here for the next three decades."